Video: Council leader calls for action over Vesuvius delay

Bassetlaw Council leader Simon Greaves has called on Eric Pickles to cut the red tape and bureaucracy that is delaying the Vesuvius project.

Coun Greaves is unhappy that the Department for Communities and Local Governmant has chosen to reopen the inquiry into the development.

Council leader Simon Greaves is angry at the letter he has received from the secretary of state regrading Vesuvius. (NWGU-08-01-14 RA 2c)

He wrote to Mr Pickles asking for him to intervene, but has been left disappointed after his reply said he had simply ‘referred the matter to the Planning Inspectorate’.

The decision comes despite the Bassetlaw Council and developers both agreeing on the best way forward for the site.

It will also see the council having to pay a six figure sum to take part in the inquiry, which is due to start on 18th February and is scheduled to last for two days.

Coun Greaves said: “In November I wrote to the Secretary of State at the Department for Communities and Local Government asking him to personally intervene and review his department’s decision to re-open the inquiry into the Vesuvius development.”

“I pointed out that in a time of cuts and austerity, having an inquiry into a development that both the council and the developers are in full agreement on is just a costly, bureaucratic process that could be better handled by way of written submissions.”

“I am extremely disappointed, although not that surprised to see that Eric Pickles has passed the buck and referred the matter back to the Planning Inspectorate.”

“There is a great deal of public support for this much needed regeneration scheme and if he meant what he said he would get rid of the red tape and bureaucracy, listen to local views and deal with this matter straightaway.”

The inquiry involves the first of CEG’s applications for the site.

A second application, with a smaller supermarket, has received planning permission.